Retirement of Dean Hart and Appointment of Professor Owensby as Dean of School of ET & CS

E. Franklin (Frank) Hart will be retiring as Dean of the School of Engineering Technology & Computer Science at Bluefield State College at the end of the Fall 2011 Semester, following 44 years of distinguished service to the College. Roger Owensby, Assistant Professor & Department Head/Mining Engineering Technology, has been appointed Interim Dean of the School, effective January 2012.

Hart began his academic career at Bluefield State College in 1967. In addition to his service as a faculty member and academic administrator, he has been the College's Director of Institutional Research, Director of Admissions, Director of Financial Aid, and Registrar. Active in his profession and in the community, he also served for three years as president of the International Society for Mine Surveying, and in 2003, he received the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET) Fellow Award. The ABET Fellow Award is presented each year to recognize individuals who have given sustained quality service to the ABET-related professions in general, and to education within the ABET disciplines, particularly through the activities of ABET.

"Frank Hart is an outstanding educator and administrator," observed Dr. Thomas Blevins, Bluefield State College's President. "He has earned the respect of his peers by his commitment to excellence in the classroom and in industry. He has maintained a very positive relationship with industry and with our engineering technology graduates. As a result, the School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science maintains a very relevant curriculum that develops students with skills that are in high demand. The entire Bluefield State College community is grateful for his service to the College and the region, and we wish him continued health and happiness in the years ahead."

"On a personal note," Dr. Blevins continued, "Frank played a significant role in creating the opportunity for me to graduate from Bluefield State. When he was the College's Financial Aid Director, he helped me receive a scholarship. That scholarship permitted me to have money for tuition, books, clothes and gas for the daily commute to the College. It enabled me to go to school."

Owensby is Assistant Professor and Department Head of the Mining Engineering Technology program at BSC.

"Professor Roger Owensby has a robust appreciation of the strengths and possibilities in the School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science," stated Dr. Lewis Jones, BSC's Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs. "I am confident of his ability to maintain the high regard the School enjoys in the community and region. I look forward to working with him on a common agenda of excellence, innovation and continuing progress in the School."